A little while ago, I led a Girl Scout Sewing Workshop that was tons of fun! I had to come up with an idea that they could complete in one session so I created the Lined Book Bag (click on the link to go to the tutorial). There were 12 girls who came to our workshop - only one of those knew how to sew.The first order of business was to show the girls how to use the machines. Then they practiced on scrap pieces of fabric until they got the hang of sewing a straight line. This usually only takes about 20 minutes.

After picking their fabric for the bags, they got started right away. Then they were off an running!

The girls also learned to use an iron safely - a very important skill to have!

All 12 girls went home with finished book bags! What a great group they are!

I am continually amazed at what our students can do - and WANT to do. I am so lucky to be able to teach to students who truly are engaged and excited about their art. We do so much knitting and crochet (that is what this class is all about!), but we also do so many other things.

Making a small wallet.

Learning to read patterns with notations like: K2tog and kfb - not an easy task!

It takes a long time to make a scarf.

I was inspired by an art teacher named Cassis Stephens. She taught this circle weaving class to her students. It looked like so much fun that I decided to bring it to our students.

Aren't the bases for our circle weaving beautiful! Just wait until they add the details and then some weaving to them.

These students really love to play hopscotch. It appears that this is an "old time" game because while they knew some of the basics, they really didn't know how to play. I happily taught them the rules and away they went.

Sometimes, they are having so much fun, it is hard to get them to stop playing and come back to knit or crochet.

We don't always knit with knitting needles. This student brought her knitting loom to class to work on.

Spool knitting continues to be a huge hit.

I made these weaving boards for noon art and held back a few for knitting class. They make perfect bookmarks after being taken off the board! The best part? These boards can be used over and over again and are made with recycled (cereal boxes) cardboard.

REALLY? A 10 year old knitting on circular needles?! Yes!

I can't wait until the bases are finished so that they can start the warping and weaving!

I am so excited about what has been going on in the sewing studio lately!! We have had many finishes:

These shirts are quite complicated. They are not "kid" patterns, they are real patterns. The front of the bodice is totally lined and has interfacing in it. There are pleats - both front and back and it is sewn on knit fabric. Job Well Done!

This little puppy is done completely by hand! Isn't he cute?!

He wove this scarf for his mom!

These blouses are coming out so lovely. Lots of hard work and lots of time go into these. Great work!

This bag posed it's own set of difficulties for this student. She chose some gorgeous fabric, but it is a very fluffy fleece and is very hard to sew on. But she persevered and it turned out beautifully!

Celebrating her blouse finish.

Another weaver!

They were taking a little break and I was able to capture them - such a happy crowd.

Last week we mixed things up a bit in knitting. I find that sometimes, especially on warm, sunny days, the kids get restless about half way through class and need a bit of a break. Knitting for an hour and a half is hard work!

Sorry for the blurry photo. Sometimes it's hard to photograph someone's finished project as it is waved in front of the camera - the kids are just so excited about their creations, they can't hold still! This student made a pom-pom last week and turned it into a smiley pom-pom this week, which promptly retained the name of "Mr. Smiley". So cute!

About half way through class time, the students were getting a little bit restless so we took a small break and played "The Marble Game".

First, I hand each student a paper towel tube that has been cut in half. Then I show them a marble and explain the rules of the game. The object of this game is to work together and keep the marble rolling from person to person without dropping it.

Once the marble has passed from your tube to the next person's tube, you run from the start of the line to the end and get ready to catch the marble again. These students had a great time and managed the all-time record of four rounds!

We are having a great time in sewing! Each week our students work on their different projects - either starting something new, working on an ongoing project, or finishing up something. What we have now added is weaving for those that are interested!

This student is a very accomplished sewer. He has been sewing with Let's Go Crafting for quite awhile now - he also sews at home. What he really wanted to learn was weaving - so we brought out one of our student looms and got him set up to make a scarf. Now he is weaving like a champ! I can't wait to show you the finished scarf - he has chosen such bright, fun yarn that I know this scarf is going to be lovely.

This student came to class this week with the idea to make an infinity scarf. She thought it out, designed it and made it all in one class! Beautiful!

Two students working on different projects, but together.

One of the things that I LOVE about our classes is that they foster friendship and camaraderie. The kids are all very supportive and helpful to each other - they share their thoughts, their ups and their downs. The atmosphere created here is wonderful for their social and emotional growth.

Please also note the hat she is wearing. She knit that hat in the round. The fit is perfect and keeps her warm on these chilly mornings.

Knitting classes continue to be a source of fun and entertainment for our students! We do so many things in addition to knitting in this class.

First up though is a pair of VERY cute slippers!!

We also made pom-poms and although they can be made by one person alone, it is much more fun to make them with a friend.

Pom-pom made using only her fingers and yarn :o)

The student who made these learned them in one lesson.

She decided she wanted to make another one. Isn't this lovely, the stitches and tension are all so even - I couldn't have done any better.

Pom-poms were the order of the day!

As you can see, even though this is a knitting class, we learn so much more during our time together - crochet, finger weaving, spool knitting, pom-pom making - really anything yarn related. The kids really have so much fun!